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Bloomfield Hills Andover wrestler has state title on mind

Bloomfield Hills Andover senior Brody Wagerson is looking for a state title in Division 2 at 215 pounds. (Photo by Christian Davis)

Bloomfield Hills Andover senior Brody Wagerson is looking for a state title in Division 2 at 215 pounds. (Photo by Christian Davis)

It’s not unusual for Bloomfield Hills Andover senior Brody Wagerson to pack up his gym bag after wrestling practice and head out to another session with West Bloomfield High’s team.

“I’ll just get in my car and drive there. It’s pretty close,” he said.

Or if another grueling practice isn’t in store, a trip to the weight room might be the answer.

“We’ll have to say, ‘Hey, it’s time to go home.’” assistant coach Dave Hack said. “He’s always said, ‘You get what you deserve and what you work for.’”

Wagerson has worked for a chance at a Division 2 state title.

The 215-pounder is heading to the state finals March 1-3 at The Palace of Auburn Hills, hoping to accomplish something he’s dreamed of since sixth grade.

“My coach in middle school would talk about what it took to place at states, and my friend and I would talk about (being state champ),” Wagerson said. “I just thought it was the coolest thing ever to me, and I’ve been working for it ever since.”

Wagerson is 39-4 overall and has an Oakland Activities Association Blue Division individual title to his credit. He also finished second in the Oakland County meet, losing to defending D-1 state champ Prescott Line.

Head coach Tony Scigliano said Wagerson’s great attributes are his work ethic, leading the team in sprints every day, and the fact that he is never satisfied.

“We’ve been coaching for the last 15 years, and he’s probably the hardest-working kid I’ve seen,” he said.

Wagerson said it’s because he loves the sport.

“It’s something about wrestling. You can never be good enough,” he said. “I want to be the best that I can be, and I know what I have to do every day to do that.”

Last season, Wagerson qualified for the final but lost his first two matches by decision. Still, the coaches tell of a grappler who enjoyed every moment of it.

“We had never coached on the floor of The Palace, and we’re waiting and we’re nervous,” Hack said of last year’s trip to Auburn Hills. “This is big time, and we want him to do go. We look behind us, and he’s smiling. He couldn’t wait to get out there. It just tells you something about him right there. Just a great kid.”

Scigliano said Wagerson never shies away from a challenge.

“He looks for the best competition. Some guys wrestle some of the top wrestlers and they get scared. … He wants to see where he stands compared to these kids,” Scigliano said.

Wagerson agreed.

“I want to wrestle the best, and if a kid is ranked ahead of me, I believe I can beat him because I do everything in my power to be the best I can,” he said.

About the author

Sports writer Christian Davis covers mainly the Oakland County coverage area. Christian has worked for C & G Newspapers since 2005 and attended Michigan State University before graduating from Oakland University.